Council approves foundation of the Environmental Master Plan

July 26, 2010

(Red Deer, Alberta) – City Council has approved the Environmental Master Plan’s Situation Assessment, which is the first phase of the plan that will guide Red Deer’s environmental future over the next 25 years.

The Situation Assessment forms the foundation of the plan. It summarizes the environmental framework and key features that make Red Deer distinct; our city’s environmental strengths and challenges; and a vision and core directions for our shared environmental future. It was formed in part by citizens who provided feedback and participated in youth and community workshops, stakeholder meetings, and the letstalkreddeer.ca discussion forum.

The core directions identified to achieve the vision are:

1. Encourage, Educate, Engage, Enable, Expect
2. Learn by Doing; Lead by Example
3. Implement Triple Bottom Line Approaches to Decision Making
4. Prioritize Alternative Transportation
5. Manage Growth to Create Vital, Compact Communities
6. Protect and Enhance Green Space

“It was so important that Red Deerians offered their opinions and ideas on how Red Deer can continue to not only improve its rich natural environment but also minimize our ecological footprint,” said Lauren Maris, Environmental Program Specialist with The City of Red Deer. “The document we presented to Council would not be what it is without help from citizens.”

The City’s Environmental Advisory Committee has played an active role in developing the Environmental Master Plan, and recommended that City Council adopt the Situation Assessment.

The Environmental Master Plan is being developed to define clear priorities, targets and strategies to achieve a 25-year vision for Red Deer’s environmental future. The next phase will make recommendations on how to achieve this vision and tools to measure success.

For more information about the Environmental Master Plan, please visit www.reddeer.ca/environmentalmasterplan.

-end -

For more information please contact:

Lauren Maris
Environmental Program Specialist
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8750